When japa is the predominating tendency, vocal japa becomes eventually mental

Nama Article 23rd November 2007

 

Talk 220.

 

Devotee : Should one have a form in one's mind, supplemented with reading or chanting God's name in one's meditation?

 

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi .:   What is mental conception except it be meditation?

 

Devotee : Should the form be supplemented by repetition of mantras or dwelling on divine attributes?

 

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi .:  When japa is the predominating tendency, vocal japa becomes eventually mental, which is the same as meditation.

 

Talk 309.

 

Devotee : No separate meditation is necessary?

 

Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi .:   

 

Meditation is your true nature now. You call it meditation, because there are other thoughts distracting you.

 

When these thoughts are dispelled, you remain alone, i.e., in the state of meditation free from thoughts; and that is your real nature which you are now attempting to gain by keeping away other thoughts. Such keeping away of other thoughts is now called meditation.

 

When the practice becomes firm, the real nature shows itself as the true meditation. Other thoughts arise more forcibly when you attempt meditation.